-->PONE-D-26-17834-->-->Comparative dynamics of coffee–tea cultural spaces in two Chinese cities: Evidence from Qingdao and Jinan, 2018–2024-->-->PLOS One

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Additional Editor Comments :

I read your manuscript and suggest a major revision. My detailed comments can be found as follows

1. POI counts reflect venue presence, not lived cultural practice. Claims about “cultural transformation” should clarify this limitation (p. 1–2, L13–32; p. 18–19, L487–504).

2. Provide full details on POI cleaning, category harmonization, and validation; include duplicates removed, thresholds, and manual checks (p. 6–7, L102–111; p. 12–13, L102–111).

3. Study-area masks are constructed from POI counts; may bias results by excluding low-activity or emerging grids. Include sensitivity tests with alternative masks (p. 6–7, L112–120).

4. Coffee Ratio (CR) thresholds (≤0.3, 0.3–0.7, ≥0.7) and trajectory classifications are arbitrary. Test robustness with alternative cutoffs (p. 7, L131–139; L140–148).

5. CTI measures endpoint change only (2018→2024); annual dynamics, COVID-era fluctuations, and short-term reversals should be shown (p. 8, L168–175; p. 10, L233–259).

6. Functional zones derived from POI composition may be endogenous; address spatial autocorrelation or use external land-use data (p. 12–13, L149–155; p. 19–20, L302–304).

7. Only two cities analyzed; claims about broader Chinese urban transformation must be softened (p. 1–2, L76–94; p. 18–19, L487–504).

8. Improve reproducibility: share harmonization tables, cleaning logs, code, and anonymized POI samples (p. 26–27, L505–514).

9. Abstract is dense; emphasize main findings and simplify methodology (p. 1–2, L12–32).

10. Avoid broad “cultural transformation” claims; use POI-observed venue patterns (p. 1–2, L12–32; p. 24–25, L442–451).

11. Define “teahouse” clearly; distinguish from milk-tea, beverage shops, and cafés (p. 2, L33–42; p. 24–25, L422–431).

12. Funding statement: correct singular “funder” → plural “funders” (p. 19, L515–519).

13. Discussion repeats points; reduce redundancy and deepen interpretation of mechanisms (p. 20–22, L318–406).

14. Include conceptual diagram linking CR, HI, CTI, trajectories, and functional zones for clarity (p. 7–8, L131–148; p. 12–13, L149–155).

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Comparative dynamics of coffee–tea cultural spaces in two Chinese cities: Evidence from Qingdao and Jinan, 2018–2024

PONE-D-26-17834R1

Dear Dr. li,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Muhammad Luqman

Academic Editor

PLOS One

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